Don’t identify yourself with the emotions you go through

*Don’t identify yourself with the emotions you go through*

The mind is like a mirror, whatever comes in front of it is reflected in it. But a mirror doesn’t cry, “Oh, I got dirty”, when a dirty picture comes in front of it. 

And it doesn’t jump up and say, “Oh, I have got these wonderful qualities” when something good is reflected. When you’re driving, you can see in the mirror that there is a garbage can behind your car. Just imagine the mirror identifying itself with the garbage can. 

Or, imagine the mirror identifying with some beautiful scenery. In both cases, what would you say? It’s a stupid idea, it’s not the case. The mirror is neither the garbage can, nor the scenery. And that is exactly how it is with our own consciousness. 

Our consciousness is like a mirror. Different images come onto it, and they all move away. Know this, and be free. When we get attached to any of those images, that is bondage. So, wake up and see, the mind is a mirror.

- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji